BMC’s Brooksby Campus recently played host to the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Newcomers’ Training Camp, featuring a guest appearance from some of the Leicester Tigers squad.

STIHL invited those interested in trying their hands at TIMBERSPORTS® to apply. The most promising applicants were then selected to participate in the Newcomers’ event, which was held from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th March at BMC’s specialist land-based Brooksby Campus.

On the Friday, members of the Leicester Tigers Rugby team, who are sponsored by STIHL, were invited in for an exclusive taster session, where they were able to have a go at TIMBERSPORTS®.

On Saturday and Sunday, the potential Stihl TIMBERSPORTS® athletes each received one day of expert training from the best trainers in Europe, including previous British Champion, Spike Milton. The day of training introduced the newcomers to the three rookie disciplines of TIMBERSPORTS®: Stock Saw, Single Buck and Underhand Chop.

The Newcomers’ Training Camp precedes the British Championship, which is to take place at BBC Countryfile Live this August. Those who impressed at the training camp now have the chance to join the TIMBERSPORTS® training programme, which could lead to further training and the opportunity to compete in national and international competitions.

Stihl TIMBERSPORTS® is the major worldwide league of lumberjack sports. These extreme sports have millions of followers worldwide, and are rapidly gaining popularity in Great Britain, with the World Championship due to take place at Liverpool’s Echo Arena later this year. Athletes train in six disciplines: Springboard, Standing Block Chop and Underhand Chop, performed with an axe, and Stock Saw, Single Buck and Hot Saw, performed with a saw.